February 1st. In the morning went to my office where afterwards the
old man brought me my letters from the carrier. At noon I went home and
dined with my wife on pease porridge and nothing else. After that I
went to the Hall and there met with Mr. Swan and went with him to Mr.
Downing's Counsellor, who did put me in very little hopes about the
business between Mr. Downing and Squib, and told me that Squib would
carry it against him, at which I was much troubled, and with him went
to Lincoln's Inn and there spoke with his attorney, who told me the
day that was appointed for the trial. From thence I went to Sir
Harry Wright's and got him to give me his hand for the L60 which I am
to-morrow to receive from Mr. Calthrop and from thence to Mrs. Jem and
spoke with Madam Scott and her husband who did promise to have the thing
for her neck done this week. Thence home and took Gammer East, and James
the porter, a soldier, to my Lord's lodgings, who told me how they were
drawn into the field to-day, and that they were ordered to march away
to-morrow to make room for General Monk; but they did shut their Colonel
Fitch, and the rest of the officers out of the field, and swore they
would not go without their money, and if they would not give it them,
they would go where they might have it, and that was the City. So the
Colonel went to the Parliament, and commanded what money could be got,
to be got against to-morrow for them, and all the rest of the soldiers
in town, who in all places made a mutiny this day, and do agree
together. Here I took some bedding to send to Mrs. Ann for her to lie
in now she hath her fits of the ague. Thence I went to Will's and staid
like a fool there and played at cards till 9 o'clock and so came home,
where I found Mr. Hunt and his wife who staid and sat with me till 10
and so good night.
2d. Drank at Harper's with Doling, and so to my office, where I found
all the officers of the regiments in town, waiting to receive money that
their soldiers might go out of town, and what was in the Exchequer they
had. At noon after dining at home I called at Harper's for Doling, and
he and I met with Luellin and drank with him at the Exchequer at Charing
Cross, and thence he and I went to the Temple to Mr. Calthrop's chamber,
and from thence had his man by water to London Bridge to Mr. Calthrop,
a grocer, and received L60 for my Lord. In our way we talked with our
waterman, White, who told us how the watermen had lately been abused by
some that had a desire to get in to be watermen to the State, and had
lately presented an address of nine or ten thousand hands to stand by
this Parliament, when it was only told them that it was to a petition
against hackney coaches; and that to-day they had put out another to
undeceive the world and to clear themselves, and that among the rest
Cropp, my waterman and one of great practice, was one that did cheat
them thus. After I had received the money we went to the Bridge Tavern
and drank a quart of wine and so back by water, landing Mr. Calthrop's
man at the Temple and we went homewards, but over against Somerset
House, hearing the noise of guns, we landed and found the Strand full
of soldiers. So I took my money and went to Mrs. Johnson, my Lord's
sempstress, and giving her my money to lay up, Doling and I went up
stairs to a window, and looked out and see the foot face the horse and
beat them back, and stood bawling and calling in the street for a free
Parliament and money. By and by a drum was heard to beat a march coming
towards them, and they got all ready again and faced them, and they
proved to be of the same mind with them; and so they made a great deal
of joy to see one another. After all this, I took my money, and went
home on foot and laying up my money, and changing my stockings and
shoes, I this day having left off my great skirt suit, and put on my
white suit with silver lace coat, and went over to Harper's, where I met
with W. Simons, Doling, Luellin and three merchants, one of which had
occasion to use a porter, so they sent for one, and James the soldier
came, who told us how they had been all day and night upon their guard
at St. James's, and that through the whole town they did resolve to
stand to what they had began, and that to-morrow he did believe they
would go into the City, and be received there. After all this we went to
a sport called, selling of a horse for a dish of eggs and herrings, and
sat talking there till almost twelve o'clock and then parted, they were
to go as far as Aldgate. Home and to bed.
3rd. Drank my morning draft at Harper's, and was told there that the
soldiers were all quiet upon promise of pay. Thence to St. James's Park,
and walked there to my place for my flageolet and then played a little,
it being a most pleasant morning and sunshine. Back to Whitehall, where
in the guard-chamber I saw about thirty or forty 'prentices of the
City, who were taken at twelve o'clock last night and brought prisoners
hither. Thence to my office, where I paid a little more money to some
of the soldiers under Lieut.-Col. Miller (who held out the Tower against
the Parliament after it was taken away from Fitch by the Committee of
Safety, and yet he continued in his office). About noon Mrs. Turner came
to speak with me, and Joyce, and I took them and shewed them the manner
of the Houses sitting, the doorkeeper very civilly opening the door for
us. Thence with my cozen Roger Pepys,
[Roger Pepys, son of Talbot Pepys of Impington, a barrister of the
Middle Temple, M.P. for Cambridge, 1661-78, and Recorder of that
town, 1660-88. He married, for the third time, Parnell, daughter
and heiress of John Duke, of Workingham, co. Suffolk, and this was
the wedding for which the posy ring was required.]
it being term time, we took him out of the Hall to Priors, the Rhenish
wine-house, and there had a pint or two of wine and a dish of anchovies,
and bespoke three or four dozen bottles of wine for him against his
wedding. After this done he went away, and left me order to call and
pay for all that Mrs. Turner would have. So we called for nothing more
there, but went and bespoke a shoulder of mutton at Wilkinson's to be
roasted as well as it could be done, and sent a bottle of wine home
to my house. In the meantime she and I and Joyce went walking all over
White Hall, whither General Monk was newly come, and we saw all his
forces march by in very good plight and stout officers. Thence to my
house where we dined, but with a great deal of patience, for the mutton
came in raw, and so we were fain to stay the stewing of it. In the
meantime we sat studying a Posy
[It is supposed that the fashion of having mottoes inscribed on
rings was of Roman origin. In the fourteenth and fifteenth
centuries the posy was inscribed on the outside of the ring, and in
the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries it was placed inside. A
small volume was published in 1674, entitled "Love's Garland: or
Posies for Rings, Handkerchers and Gloves, and such pretty tokens
that Lovers send their Loves."]
for a ring for her which she is to have at Roger Pepys his wedding.
After dinner I left them and went to hear news, but only found that the
Parliament House was most of them with Monk at White Hall, and that
in his passing through the town he had many calls to him for a free
Parliament, but little other welcome. I saw in the Palace Yard how
unwilling some of the old soldiers were yet to go out of town without
their money, and swore if they had it not in three days, as they were
promised, they would do them more mischief in the country than if
they had staid here; and that is very likely, the country being all
discontented. The town and guards are already full of Monk's soldiers.
I returned, and it growing dark I and they went to take a turn in the
park, where Theoph. (who was sent for to us to dinner) outran my wife
and another poor woman, that laid a pot of ale with me that she would
outrun her. After that I set them as far as Charing Cross, and there
left them and my wife, and I went to see Mrs. Ann, who began very high
about a flock bed I sent her, but I took her down. Here I played at
cards till 9 o'clock. So home and to bed.
4th. In the morning at my lute an hour, and so to my office, where I
staid expecting to have Mr. Squib come to me, but he did not. At noon
walking in the Hall I found Mr. Swan and got him and Captain Stone
together, and there advised about Mr. Downing's business. So to Will's,
and sat there till three o'clock and then to Mr. Swan's, where I found
his wife in very genteel mourning for her father, and took him out by
water to the Counsellor at the Temple, Mr. Stephens, and from thence to
Gray's Inn, thinking to speak with Sotherton Ellis, but found him not,
so we met with an acquaintance of his in the walks, and went and drank,
where I ate some bread and butter, having ate nothing all day, while
they were by chance discoursing of Marriot, the great eater, so that I
was, I remember, ashamed to eat what I would have done. Here Swan shewed
us a ballad to the tune of Mardike which was most incomparably wrote in
a printed hand, which I borrowed of him, but the song proved but silly,
and so I did not write it out. Thence we went and leaving Swan at his
master's, my Lord Widdrington, I met with Spicer, Washington, and D.
Vines in Lincoln's Inn Court, and they were buying of a hanging jack to
roast birds on of a fellow that was there selling of some. I was fain to
slip from there and went to Mrs. Crew's to her and advised about a maid
to come and be with Mrs. Jem while her maid is sick, but she could spare
none. Thence to Sir Harry Wright's, but my lady not being within I spoke
to Mrs. Carter about it, who will get one against Monday. So with a link
boy
[Links were torches of tow or pitch to light the way. Ed.]
to Scott's, where Mrs. Ann was in a heat, but I spoke not to her,
but told Mrs. Jem what I had done, and after that went home and wrote
letters into the country by the post, and then played awhile on my lute,
and so done, to supper and then to bed. All the news to-day is, that
the Parliament this morning voted the House to be made up four hundred
forthwith. This day my wife killed her turkeys that Mr. Sheply gave her,
that came out of Zealand with my Lord, and could not get her m'd Jane by
no means at any time to kill anything.
5th,(Lord's day). In the morning before church time Mr. Hawly, who had
for this day or two looked something sadly, which methinks did speak
something in his breast concerning me, came to me telling me that he
was out L24 which he could not tell what was become of, and that he do
remember that he had such a sum in a bag the other day, and could not
tell what he did with it, at which I was very sorry but could not
help him. In the morning to Mr. Gunning, where a stranger, an old man,
preached a good honest sermon upon "What manner of love is this that
we should be called the sons of God." After sermon I could not find my
wife, who promised to be at the gate against my coming out, and waited
there a great while; then went to my house and finding her gone I
returned and called at the Chequers, thinking to dine at the ordinary
with Mr. Chetwind and Mr. Thomas, but they not being there I went to my
father and found her there, and there I dined. To their church in the
afternoon, and in Mrs. Turner's pew my wife took up a good black hood
and kept it. A stranger preached a poor sermon, and so read over the
whole book of the story of Tobit. After sermon home with Mrs. Turner,
staid with her a little while, then she went into the court to a
christening and we to my father's, where I wrote some notes for my
brother John to give to the Mercers' to-morrow, it being the day of
their apposition. After supper home, and before going to bed I staid
writing of this day its passages, while a drum came by, beating of a
strange manner of beat, now and then a single stroke, which my wife
and I wondered at, what the meaning of it should be. This afternoon
at church I saw Dick Cumberland newly come out of the country from his
living, but did not speak to him.
6th. Before I went to my office I went to Mr. Crew's and paid Mr.
Andrews the same L60 that he had received of Mr. Calthrop the last week.
So back to Westminster and walked with him thither, where we found the
soldiers all set in the Palace Yard, to make way for General Monk to
come to the House. At the Hall we parted, and meeting Swan, he and I to
the Swan and drank our morning draft. So back again to the Hall, where
I stood upon the steps and saw Monk go by, he making observance to the
judges as he went along. At noon my father dined with me upon my turkey
that was brought from Denmark, and after dinner he and I to the Bull
Head Tavern, where we drank half a pint of wine and so parted. I to Mrs.
Ann, and Mrs. Jem being gone out of the chamber she and I had a very
high bout, I rattled her up, she being in her bed, but she becoming more
cool, we parted pretty good friends. Thence I went to Will's, where I
staid at cards till 10 o'clock, losing half a crown, and so home to bed.
7th. In the morning I went early to give Mr. Hawly notice of my being
forced to go into London, but he having also business we left our office
business to Mr. Spicer and he and I walked as far as the Temple, where
I halted a little and then went to Paul's School, but it being too soon,
went and drank my morning draft with my cozen Tom Pepys the turner, and
saw his house and shop, thence to school, where he that made the speech
for the seventh form in praise of the founder, did show a book which
Mr. Crumlum had lately got, which is believed to be of the Founder's own
writing. After all the speeches, in which my brother John came off as
well as any of the rest, I went straight home and dined, then to the
Hall, where in the Palace I saw Monk's soldiers abuse Billing and all
the Quakers, that were at a meeting-place there, and indeed the soldiers
did use them very roughly and were to blame.
["Fox, or some other 'weighty' friend, on hearing of this,
complained to Monk, who issued the following order, dated March 9th:
'I do require all officers and soldiers to forbear to disturb
peaceable meetings of the Quakers, they doing nothing prejudicial to
the Parliament or the Commonwealth of England. George Monk.' This
order, we are told, had an excellent effect on the soldiers."--A. C.
Bickley's 'George Fox and the Early Quakers, London, 1884, p. 179.
The Quakers were at this time just coming into notice. The first
preaching of George Fox, the founder, was in 1648, and in 1655 the
preachers of the sect numbered seventy-three. Fox computed that
there were seldom less than a thousand quakers in prison. The
statute 13 and 14 Car. II. cap. i. (1662) was "An act for
preventing the mischiefs and dangers that may arise by certain
persons called quakers and others, refusing to take lawful oaths."
Billing is mentioned again on July 22nd, 1667, when he addressed
Pepys in Westminster Hall.]
So after drinking with Mr. Spicer, who had received L600 for me this
morning, I went to Capt. Stone and with him by coach to the Temple
Gardens (all the way talking of the disease of the stone), where we met
Mr. Squib, but would do nothing till to-morrow morning. Thence back on
foot home, where I found a letter from my Lord in character [private
cryptic code Ed.], which I construed, and after my wife had shewn me
some ribbon and shoes that she had taken out of a box of Mr. Montagu's
which formerly Mr. Kipps had left here when his master was at sea, I
went to Mr. Crew and advised with him about it, it being concerning my
Lord's coming up to Town, which he desires upon my advice the last week
in my letter. Thence calling upon Mrs. Ann I went home, and wrote in
character to my Lord in answer to his letter. This day Mr. Crew told
me that my Lord St. John is for a free Parliament, and that he is very
great with Monk, who hath now the absolute command and power to do any
thing that he hath a mind to do. Mr. Moore told me of a picture hung
up at the Exchange of a great pair of buttocks shooting of a turd into
Lawson's mouth, and over it was wrote "The thanks of the house." Boys do
now cry "Kiss my Parliament, instead of "Kiss my [rump]," so great and
general a contempt is the Rump come to among all the good and bad.
8th. A little practice on my flageolet, and afterwards walking in my
yard to see my stock of pigeons, which begin now with the spring to
breed very fast. I was called on by Mr. Fossan, my fellow pupil at
Cambridge, and I took him to the Swan in the Palace yard, and drank
together our morning draft. Thence to my office, where I received money,
and afterwards Mr. Carter, my old friend at Cambridge, meeting me as I
was going out of my office I took him to the Swan, and in the way I met
with Captain Lidcott, and so we three went together and drank there, the
Captain talking as high as ever he did, and more because of the fall of
his brother Thurlow.
[John Thurloe, born 1616; Secretary of State to Cromwell; M.P. for
Ely, 1656, and for the University of Cambridge in Richard Cromwell's
Parliament of December, 1658. He was never employed after the
Restoration, although the King solicited his services. He died
February 21st, 1668. Pepys spells the name Thurlow, which was a
common spelling at the time.]
Hence I went to Captain Stone, who told me how Squib had been with him,
and that he could do nothing with him, so I returned to Mr. Carter and
with him to Will's, where I spent upon him and Monsieur L'Impertinent,
alias Mr. Butler, who I took thither with me, and thence to a Rhenish
wine house, and in our way met with Mr. Hoole, where I paid for my cozen
Roger Pepys his wine, and after drinking we parted. So I home, in my way
delivering a letter which among the rest I had from my Lord to-day to
Sir N. Wheeler. At home my wife's brother brought her a pretty black
dog which I liked very well, and went away again. Hence sending a porter
with the hamper of bottles to the Temple I called in my way upon Mrs.
Jem, who was much frighted till I came to tell her that her mother was
well. So to the Temple, where I delivered the wine and received the
money of my cos. Roger that I laid out, and thence to my father's, where
he shewed me a base angry letter that he had newly received from my
uncle Robert about my brother John, at which my father was very sad, but
I comforted him and wrote an answer. My brother John has an exhibition
granted him from the school. My father and I went down to his kitchen,
and there we eat and drank, and about 9 o'clock I went away homewards,
and in Fleet Street, received a great jostle from a man that had a mind
to take the wall, which I could not help?
[This was a constant trouble to the pedestrian until the rule of
passing to the right of the person met was generally accepted. Gay
commences his "Trivia" with an allusion to this--
"When to assert the wall, and when resign--"
and the epigram on the haughty courtier and the scholar is well
known.]
I came home and to bed. Went to bed with my head not well by my too
much drinking to-day, and I had a boil under my chin which troubled me
cruelly.
9th. Soon as out of my bed I wrote letters into the country to go by
carrier to-day. Before I was out of my bed, I heard the soldiers very
busy in the morning, getting their horses ready where they lay at
Hilton's, but I knew not then their meaning in so doing: After I had
wrote my letters I went to Westminster up and down the Hall, and with
Mr. Swan walked a good [deal] talking about Mr. Downing's business.
I went with him to Mr. Phelps's house where he had some business to
solicit, where we met Mr. Rogers my neighbour, who did solicit against
him and talked very high, saying that he would not for a L1000 appear in
a business that Swan did, at which Swan was very angry, but I believe
he might be guilty enough. In the Hall I understand how Monk is this
morning gone into London with his army; and met with Mr. Fage, who
told me that he do believe that Monk is gone to secure some of the
Common-council of the City, who were very high yesterday there, and did
vote that they would not pay any taxes till the House was filled up.
I went to my office, where I wrote to my Lord after I had been at the
Upper Bench, where Sir Robert Pye
[Sir Robert Pye, the elder, was auditor of the Exchequer, and a
staunch Royalist. He garrisoned his house at Faringdon, which was
besieged by his son, of the same names, a decided Republican, son-
in-law to Hampden, and colonel of horse under Fairfax. The son,
here spoken of, was subsequently committed to the Tower for
presenting a petition to the House of Commons from the county of
Berks, which he represented in Parliament, complaining of the want
of a settled form of government. He had, however, the courage to
move for an habeas corpus, but judge Newdigate decided that the
courts of law had not the power to discharge him. Upon Monk's
coming to London, the secluded members passed a vote to liberate
Pye, and at the Restoration he was appointed equerry to the King.
He died in 1701.--B.]
this morning came to desire his discharge from the Tower; but it could
not be granted. After that I went to Mrs. Jem, who I had promised to go
along with to her Aunt Wright's, but she was gone, so I went thither,
and after drinking a glass of sack I went back to Westminster Hall, and
meeting with Mr. Pierce the surgeon, who would needs take me home, where
Mr. Lucy, Burrell, and others dined, and after dinner I went home and
to Westminster Hall, where meeting Swan I went with him by water to the
Temple to our Counsel, and did give him a fee to make a motion to-morrow
in the Exchequer for Mr. Downing. Thence to Westminster Hall, where
I heard an action very finely pleaded between my Lord Dorset and some
other noble persons, his lady and other ladies of quality being here,
and it was about; L330 per annum, that was to be paid to a poor Spittal,
which was given by some of his predecessors; and given on his side.
Thence Swan and I to a drinking-house near Temple Bar, where while he
wrote I played on my flageolet till a dish of poached eggs was got ready
for us, which we eat, and so by coach home. I called at Mr. Harper's,
who told me how Monk had this day clapt up many of the Common-council,
and that the Parliament had voted that he should pull down their gates
and portcullisses, their posts and their chains, which he do intend to
do, and do lie in the City all night. I went home and got some ahlum
to my mouth, where I have the beginnings of a cancer, and had also a
plaster to my boil underneath my chin.
10th. In the morning I went to Mr. Swan, who took me to the Court of
Wards, where I saw the three Lords Commissioners sitting upon some cause
where Mr. Scobell was concerned, and my Lord Fountaine took him up
very roughly about some things that he said. After that we went to the
Exchequer, where the Barons were hearing of causes, and there I made
affidavit that Mr. Downing was gone into Holland by order of the Council
of State, and this affidavit I gave to Mr. Stevens our lawyer. Thence to
my office, where I got money of Mr. Hawly to pay the lawyer, and there
found Mr. Lenard, one of the Clerks of the Council, and took him to the
Swan and gave him his morning draft. Then home to dinner, and after that
to the Exchequer, where I heard all the afternoon a great many causes
before the Barons; in the end came ours, and Squib proved clearly by his
patent that the house and office did now belong to him. Our lawyer made
some kind of opposition, but to no purpose, and so the cause was found
against us, and the foreman of the jury brought in L10 damages, which
the whole Court cried shame of, and so he cried 12d. Thence I went home,
vexed about this business, and there I found Mr. Moore, and with him
went into London to Mr. Fage about the cancer in my mouth, which begins
to grow dangerous, who gave me something for it, and also told me what
Monk had done in the City, how he had pulled down the most part of the
gates and chains that they could break down, and that he was now gone
back to White Hall. The City look mighty blank, and cannot tell what
in the world to do; the Parliament having this day ordered that the
Common-council sit no more; but that new ones be chosen according to
what qualifications they shall give them. Thence I went and drank with
Mr. Moore at the Sugar Loaf by Temple Bar, where Swan and I were last
night, and so we parted. At home I found Mr. Hunt, who sat talking with
me awhile, and so to bed.
11th. This morning I lay long abed, and then to my office, where I read
all the morning my Spanish book of Rome. At noon I walked in the Hall,
where I heard the news of a letter from Monk, who was now gone into the
City again, and did resolve to stand for the sudden filling up of the
House, and it was very strange how the countenance of men in the Hall
was all changed with joy in half an hour's time. So I went up to the
lobby, where I saw the Speaker reading of the letter; and after it was
read, Sir A. Haselrigge came out very angry, and Billing--[The quaker
mentioned before on the 7th of this month.]--standing at the door,
took him by the arm, and cried, "Thou man, will thy beast carry thee no
longer? thou must fall!" The House presently after rose, and appointed
to meet again at three o'clock. I went then down into the Hall, where I
met with Mr. Chetwind, who had not dined no more than myself, and so we
went toward London, in our way calling at two or three shops, but could
have no dinner. At last, within Temple Bar, we found a pullet ready
roasted, and there we dined. After that he went to his office in
Chancery Lane, calling at the Rolls, where I saw the lawyers pleading.
Then to his office, where I sat in his study singing, while he was with
his man (Mr. Powell's son) looking after his business. Thence we took
coach for the City to Guildhall, where the Hall was full of people
expecting Monk and Lord Mayor to come thither, and all very joyfull.
Here we stayed a great while, and at last meeting with a friend of
his we went to the 3 Tun tavern and drank half a pint of wine, and not
liking the wine we went to an alehouse, where we met with company of
this third man's acquaintance, and there we drank a little. Hence I went
alone to Guildhall to see whether Monk was come again or no, and met
with him coming out of the chamber where he had been with the Mayor and
Aldermen, but such a shout I never heard in all my life, crying out,
"God bless your Excellence." Here I met with Mr. Lock, and took him to
an alehouse, and left him there to fetch Chetwind; when we were come
together, Lock told us the substance of the letter that went from Monk
to the Parliament; wherein, after complaints that he and his officers
were put upon such offices against the City as they could not do with
any content or honour, that there are many members now in the House that
were of the late tyrannical Committee of Safety. That Lambert and Vane
are now in town, contrary to the vote of Parliament. That there were
many in the House that do press for new oaths to be put upon men;
whereas we have more cause to be sorry for the many oaths that we have
already taken and broken. That the late petition of the fanatique people
presented by Barebone, for the imposing of an oath upon all sorts of
people, was received by the House with thanks. That therefore he [Monk]
do desire that all writs for filling up of the House be issued by Friday
next, and that in the mean time, he would retire into the City and
only leave them guards for the security of the House and Council. The
occasion of this was the order that he had last night to go into the
City and disarm them, and take away their charter; whereby he and his
officers say that the House had a mind to put them upon things that
should make them odious; and so it would be in their power to do what
they would with them. He told us that they [the Parliament] had sent
Scott and Robinson to him [Monk] this afternoon, but he would not hear
them. And that the Mayor and Aldermen had offered him their own houses
for himself and his officers; and that his soldiers would lack for
nothing. And indeed I saw many people give the soldiers drink and money,
and all along in the streets cried, "God bless them!" and extraordinary
good words. Hence we went to a merchant's house hard by, where Lock
wrote a note and left, where I saw Sir Nich. Crisp, and so we went to
the Star Tavern (Monk being then at Benson's), where we dined and I
wrote a letter to my Lord from thence. In Cheapside there was a great
many bonfires, and Bow bells and all the bells in all the churches as
we went home were a-ringing. Hence we went homewards, it being about ten
o'clock. But the common joy that was every where to be seen! The number
of bonfires, there being fourteen between St. Dunstan's and Temple Bar,
and at Strand Bridge' I could at one view tell thirty-one fires. In
King-street seven or eight; and all along burning, and roasting, and
drinking for rumps. There being rumps tied upon sticks and carried up
and down. The butchers at the May Pole in the Strand rang a peal with
their knives when they were going to sacrifice their rump. On Ludgate
Hill there was one turning of the spit that had a rump tied upon it,
and another basting of it. Indeed it was past imagination, both the
greatness and the suddenness of it. At one end of the street you would
think there was a whole lane of fire, and so hot that we were fain to
keep still on the further side merely for heat. We came to the Chequers
at Charing Cross, where Chetwind wrote a letter and I gave him an
account of what I had wrote for him to write. Thence home and sent my
letters to the posthouse in London, and my wife and I (after Mr. Hunt
was gone, whom I found waiting at my house) went out again to show her
the fires, and after walking as far as the Exchange we returned and to
bed.
12th. In the morning, it being Lord's day, Mr. Pierce came to me to
enquire how things go. We drank our morning draft together and thence
to White Hall, where Dr. Hones preached; but I staid not to hear, but
walking in the court, I heard that Sir Arth. Haselrigge was newly gone
into the City to Monk, and that Monk's wife removed from White Hall last
night. Home again, where at noon came according to my invitation my cos.
Thos. Pepys and his partner and dined with me, but before dinner we went
and took a walk round the park, it being a most pleasant day as ever I
saw. After dinner we three went into London together, where I heard that
Monk had been at Paul's in the morning, and the people had shouted much
at his coming out of the church. In the afternoon he was at a church in
Broad-street, whereabout he do lodge. But not knowing how to see him we
went and walked half a hour in Moorfields, which were full of people, it
being so fine a day. Here I took leave of them, and so to Paul's, where
I met with Mr. Kirton's' apprentice (the crooked fellow) and walked
up and down with him two hours, sometimes in the street looking for a
tavern to drink in, but not finding any open, we durst not knock; other
times in the churchyard, where one told me that he had seen the letter
printed. Thence to Mr. Turner's, where I found my wife, Mr. Edw. Pepys,
and Roger' and Mr. Armiger being there, to whom I gave as good an
account of things as I could, and so to my father's, where Charles
Glascocke was overjoyed to see how things are now; who told me the boys
had last night broke Barebone's windows. Hence home, and being near home
we missed our maid, and were at a great loss and went back a great way
to find her, but when we could not see her we went homewards and found
her there, got before us which we wondered at greatly. So to bed, where
my wife and I had some high words upon my telling her that I would fling
the dog which her brother gave her out of window if he [dirtied] the
house any more.
13th. To my office till noon, thence home to dinner, my mouth being
very bad of the cancer and my left leg beginning to be sore again. After
dinner to see Mrs. Jem, and in the way met with Catan on foot in the
street and talked with her a little, so home and took my wife to my
father's. In my way I went to Playford's, and for two books that I had
and 6s. 6d. to boot I had my great book of songs which he sells always
for r 4s. At my father's I staid a while, while my mother sent her maid
Bess to Cheapside for some herbs to make a water for my mouth. Then I
went to see Mr. Cumberland, and after a little stay with him I returned,
and took my wife home, where after supper to bed. This day Monk was
invited to White Hall to dinner by my Lords; not seeming willing, he
would not come. I went to Mr. Fage from my father's, who had been this
afternoon with Monk, who do promise to live and die with the City, and
for the honour of the City; and indeed the City is very open-handed to
the soldiers, that they are most of them drunk all day, and have money
given them. He did give me something for my mouth which I did use this
night.
14th. Called out in the morning by Mr. Moore, whose voice my wife
hearing in my dressing-chamber with me, got herself ready, and came down
and challenged him for her valentine, this being the day.
[The practice of choosing valentines was very general at this time,
but some of the best examples of the custom are found in this
Diary.]
To Westminster Hall, there being many new remonstrances and declarations
from many counties to Monk and the City, and one coming from the North
from Sir Thomas Fairfax. Hence I took him to the Swan and gave him his
morning draft. So to my office, where Mr. Hill of Worcestershire came
to see me and my partner in our office, with whom we went to Will's to
drink. At noon I went home and so to Mr. Crew's, but they had dined, and
so I went to see Mrs. Jem where I stayed a while, and home again where
I stayed an hour or two at my lute, and so forth to Westminster Hall,
where I heard that the Parliament hath now changed the oath so much
talked of to a promise; and that among other qualifications for the
members that are to be chosen, one is, that no man, nor the son of
any man that hath been in arms during the life of the father, shall be
capable of being chosen to sit in Parliament. To Will's, where like a
fool I staid and lost 6d. at cards. So home, and wrote a letter to my
Lord by the post. So after supper to bed. This day, by an order of the
House, Sir H. Vane was sent out of town to his house in Lincolnshire.
15th. Called up in the morning by Captain Holland and Captain Cuttance,
and with them to Harper's, thence to my office, thence with Mr. Hill of
Worcestershire to Will's, where I gave him a letter to Nan Pepys, and
some merry pamphlets against the Rump to carry to her into the country.
So to Mr. Crew's, where the dining room being full, Mr. Walgrave and
I dined below in the buttery by ourselves upon a good dish of buttered
salmon. Thence to Hering' the merchant about my Lord's Worcester money
and back to Paul's Churchyard, where I staid reading in Fuller's History
of the Church of England an hour or two, and so to my father's, where
Mr. Hill came to me and I gave him direction what to do at Worcester
about the money. Thence to my Lady Wright's and gave her a letter from
my Lord privily. So to Mrs. Jem and sat with her, who dined at Mr.
Crew's to-day, and told me that there was at her coming away at least
forty gentlemen (I suppose members that were secluded, for Mr. Walgrave
told me that there were about thirty met there the last night) came
dropping in one after another thither. Thence home and wrote into the
country against to-morrow by the carrier and so to bed. At my father's
I heard how my cousin Kate Joyce had a fall yesterday from her horse
and had some hurt thereby. No news to-day, but all quiet to see what the
Parliament will do about the issuing of the writs to-morrow for filling
up of the House, according to Monk's desire.
16th, In the morning at my lute. Then came Shaw and Hawly, and I gave
them their morning draft at my house. So to my office, where I wrote by
the carrier to my Lord and sealed my letter at Will's, and gave it old
East to carry it to the carrier's, and to take up a box of china oranges
and two little barrels of scallops at my house, which Captain Cuttance
sent to me for my Lord. Here I met with Osborne and with Shaw and
Spicer, and we went to the Sun Tavern in expectation of a dinner, where
we had sent us only two trenchers-full of meat, at which we were very
merry, while in came Mr. Wade and his friend Capt. Moyse (who told us
of his hopes to get an estate merely for his name's sake), and here we
staid till seven at night, I winning a quart of sack of Shaw that one
trencherfull that was sent us was all lamb and he that it was veal. I
by having but 3d. in my pocket made shift to spend no more, whereas if
I had had more I had spent more as the rest did, so that I see it is
an advantage to a man to carry little in his pocket. Home, and after
supper, and a little at my flute, I went to bed.
17th. In the morning Tom that was my Lord's footboy came to see me and
had 10s. of me of the money which I have to keep of his. So that now I
have but 35s. more of his. Then came Mr. Hills the instrument maker, and
I consulted with him about the altering my lute and my viall. After that
I went into my study and did up my accounts, and found that I am about;
L40 beforehand in the world, and that is all. So to my office and from
thence brought Mr. Hawly home with me to dinner, and after dinner wrote
a letter to Mr. Downing about his business and gave it Hawly, and so
went to Mr. Gunning's to his weekly fast, and after sermon, meeting
there with Monsieur L'Impertinent, we went and walked in the park till
it was dark. I played on my pipe at the Echo, and then drank a cup of
ale at Jacob's. So to Westminster Hall, and he with me, where I heard
that some of the members of the House were gone to meet with some of the
secluded members and General Monk in the City. Hence we went to White
Hall, thinking to hear more news, where I met with Mr. Hunt, who told me
how Monk had sent for all his goods that he had here into the City; and
yet again he told me, that some of the members of the House had this day
laid in firing into their lodgings at White Hall for a good while,
so that we are at a great stand to think what will become of
things, whether Monk will stand to the Parliament or no. Hence Mons.
L'Impertinent and I to Harper's, and there drank a cup or two to the
King, and to his fair sister Frances--[Frances Butler, the great beauty,
who is sometimes styled. la belle Boteler.]--good health, of whom we had
much discourse of her not being much the worse for the small pox, which
she had this last summer. So home and to bed. This day we are invited to
my uncle Fenner's wedding feast, but went not, this being the 27th year.
18th. A great while at my vial and voice, learning to sing "Fly boy, fly
boy," without book. So to my office, where little to do. In the Hall I
met with Mr. Eglin and one Looker, a famous gardener, servant to my Lord
Salsbury, and among other things the gardener told a strange passage in
good earnest.... Home to dinner, and then went to my Lord's lodgings to
my turret there and took away most of my books, and sent them home by
my maid. Thither came Capt. Holland to me who took me to the Half Moon
tavern and Mr. Southorne, Blackburne's clerk. Thence he took me to the
Mitre in Fleet Street, where we heard (in a room over the music room)
very plainly through the ceiling. Here we parted and I to Mr. Wotton's,
and with him to an alehouse and drank while he told me a great many
stories of comedies that he had formerly seen acted, and the names of
the principal actors, and gave me a very good account of it. Thence to
Whitehall, where I met with Luellin and in the clerk's chamber wrote a
letter to my Lord. So home and to bed. This day two soldiers were hanged
in the Strand for their late mutiny at Somerset-house.
19th (Lord's day). Early in the morning I set my books that I brought
home yesterday up in order in my study. Thence forth to Mr. Harper's to
drink a draft of purle,--[Purl is hot beer flavoured with wormwood or
other aromatic herbs. The name is also given to hot beer flavoured with
gin, sugar, and ginger.]--whither by appointment Monsieur L'Impertinent,
who did intend too upon my desire to go along with me to St.
Bartholomew's, to hear one Mr. Sparks, but it raining very hard we went
to Mr. Gunning's and heard an excellent sermon, and speaking of the
character that the Scripture gives of Ann the mother of the blessed
Virgin, he did there speak largely in commendation of widowhood, and
not as we do to marry two or three wives or husbands, one after another.
Here I met with Mr. Moore, and went home with him to dinner, where he
told me the discourse that happened between the secluded members and the
members of the House, before Monk last Friday. How the secluded said,
that they did not intend by coming in to express revenge upon these men,
but only to meet and dissolve themselves, and only to issue writs for a
free Parliament. He told me how Haselrigge was afraid to have the candle
carried before him, for fear that the people seeing him, would do him
hurt; and that he is afraid to appear in the City. That there is great
likelihood that the secluded members will come in, and so Mr. Crew and
my Lord are likely to be great men, at which I was very glad. After
diner there was many secluded members come in to Mr. Crew, which,
it being the Lord's day, did make Mr. Moore believe that there was
something extraordinary in the business. Hence home and brought my wife
to Mr. Mossum's to hear him, and indeed he made a very good sermon, but
only too eloquent for a pulpit. Here Mr. L'Impertinent helped me to a
seat. After sermon to my father's; and fell in discourse concerning our
going to Cambridge the next week with my brother John. To Mrs. Turner
where her brother, Mr. Edward Pepys, was there, and I sat a great while
talking of public business of the times with him. So to supper to my
Father's, all supper talking of John's going to Cambridge. So home, and
it raining my wife got my mother's French mantle and my brother John's
hat, and so we went all along home and to bed.
20th. In the morning at my lute. Then to my office, where my partner
and I made even our balance. Took him home to dinner with me, where my
brother John came to dine with me. After dinner I took him to my study
at home and at my Lord's, and gave him some books and other things
against his going to Cambridge. After he was gone I went forth to
Westminster Hall, where I met with Chetwind, Simons, and Gregory. And
with them to Marsh's at Whitehall to drink, and staid there a pretty
while reading a pamphlet well writ and directed to General Monk, in
praise of the form of monarchy which was settled here before the wars.
[This pamphlet is among the Thomason Collection of Civil War Tracts
(British Museum), and dated in MS. this same day, February 20th--
"A Plea for Limited Monarchy as it was established in this Nation
before the late War. In an Humble Address to his Excellency General
Monck. By a Zealot for the good old Laws of his Country, before any
Faction or Caprice, with additions." "An Eccho to the Plea for
Limited Monarchy, &c.," was published soon afterwards.]
They told me how the Speaker Lenthall do refuse to sign the writs for
choice of new members in the place of the excluded; and by that means
the writs could not go out to-day. In the evening Simons and I to the
Coffee Club, where nothing to do only I heard Mr. Harrington, and my
Lord of Dorset and another Lord, talking of getting another place as the
Cockpit, and they did believe it would come to something. After a small
debate upon the question whether learned or unlearned subjects are the
best the Club broke up very poorly, and I do not think they will meet
any more. Hence with Vines, &c. to Will's, and after a pot or two home,
and so to bed.
21st. In the morning going out I saw many soldiers going towards
Westminster, and was told that they were going to admit the secluded
members again. So I to Westminster Hall, and in Chancery Row I saw about
twenty of them who had been at White Hall with General Monk, who came
thither this morning, and made a speech to them, and recommended to them
a Commonwealth, and against Charles Stuart. They came to the House and
went in one after another, and at last the Speaker came. But it is very
strange that this could be carried so private, that the other members of
the House heard nothing of all this, till they found them in the House,
insomuch that the soldiers that stood there to let in the secluded
members, they took for such as they had ordered to stand there to hinder
their coming in. Mr. Prin came with an old basket-hilt sword on, and had
a great many great shouts upon his going into the Hall. They sat till
noon, and at their coming out Mr. Crew saw me, and bid me come to his
house, which I did, and he would have me dine with him, which I did; and
he very joyful told me that the House had made General Monk, General of
all the Forces in England, Scotland, and Ireland; and that upon Monk's
desire, for the service that Lawson had lately done in pulling down the
Committee of Safety, he had the command of the Sea for the time being.
He advised me to send for my Lord forthwith, and told me that there is
no question that, if he will, he may now be employed again; and that the
House do intend to do nothing more than to issue writs, and to settle
a foundation for a free Parliament. After dinner I back to Westminster
Hall with him in his coach. Here I met with Mr. Lock and Pursell,
Masters of Music,--[Henry Purcell, father of the celebrated composer,
was gentleman of the Chapel Royal.]--and with them to the Coffee House,
into a room next the water, by ourselves, where we spent an hour or two
till Captain Taylor came to us, who told us, that the House had voted
the gates of the City to be made up again, and the members of the City
that are in prison to be set at liberty; and that Sir G. Booth's'
case be brought into the House to-morrow. Here we had variety of brave
Italian and Spanish songs, and a canon for eight voices, which Mr. Lock
had lately made on these words: "Domine salvum fac Regem," an admirable
thing. Here also Capt. Taylor began a discourse of something that he had
lately writ about Gavelkind in answer to one that had wrote a piece
upon the same subject; and indeed discovered a great deal of study
in antiquity in his discourse. Here out of the window it was a most
pleasant sight to see the City from one end to the other with a glory
about it, so high was the light of the bonfires, and so thick round the
City, and the bells rang everywhere. Hence home and wrote to my Lord,
afterwards came down and found Mr. Hunt (troubled at this change) and
Mr. Spong, who staid late with me singing of a song or two, and so
parted. My wife not very well, went to bed before. This morning I met in
the Hall with Mr. Fuller, of Christ's, and told him of my design to
go to Cambridge, and whither. He told me very freely the temper of Mr.
Widdrington, how he did oppose all the fellows in the College, and that
there was a great distance between him and the rest, at which I was very
sorry, for that he told me he feared it would be little to my brother's
advantage to be his pupil.
22nd. In the morning intended to have gone to Mr. Crew's to borrow some
money, but it raining I forbore, and went to my Lord's lodging and look
that all things were well there. Then home and sang a song to my viall,
so to my office and to Will's, where Mr. Pierce found me out, and told
me that he would go with me to Cambridge, where Colonel Ayre's regiment,
to which he was surgeon, lieth. Walking in the Hall, I saw Major-General
Brown, who had along time been banished by the Rump, but now with his
beard overgrown, he comes abroad and sat in the House. To my father's
to dinner, where nothing but a small dish of powdered beef--[Boiled
salt beef. To powder was to sprinkle with salt, and the powdering tub a
vessel in which meat was salted.]--and dish of carrots; they being all
busy to get things ready for my brother John to go to-morrow. After
dinner, my wife staying there, I went to Mr. Crew's, and got; L5 of Mr.
Andrews, and so to Mrs. Jemimah, who now hath her instrument about her
neck, and indeed is infinitely, altered, and holds her head upright. I
paid her, maid 40s. of the money that I have received of Mr. Andrews.
Hence home to my study, where I only wrote thus much of this day's
passages to this * and so out again. To White Hall, where I met with
Will. Simons and Mr. Mabbot at Marsh's, who told me how the House had
this day voted that the gates of the City should be set up at the cost
of the State. And that Major-General Brown's being proclaimed a traitor
be made void, and several other things of that nature. Home for my
lanthorn and so to my father's, where I directed John what books to put
for Cambridge. After that to supper, where my Uncle Fenner and my Aunt,
The. Turner, and Joyce, at a brave leg of veal roasted, and were
very merry against John's going to Cambridge. I observed this day how
abominably Barebone's windows are broke again last night. At past 9
o'clock my wife and I went home.
23rd. Thursday, my birthday, now twenty-seven years. A pretty fair
morning, I rose and after writing a while in my study I went forth.
To my office, where I told Mr. Hawly of my thoughts to go out of town
to-morrow. Hither Mr. Fuller comes to me and my Uncle Thomas too, thence
I took them to drink, and so put off my uncle. So with Mr. Fuller home
to my house, where he dined with me, and he told my wife and me a great
many stories of his adversities, since these troubles, in being forced
to travel in the Catholic countries, &c. He shewed me his bills, but I
had not money to pay him. We parted, and I to Whitehall, where I was to
see my horse which Mr. Garthwayt lends me to-morrow. So home, where Mr.
Pierce comes to me about appointing time and place where and when to
meet tomorrow. So to Westminster Hall, where, after the House rose, I
met with Mr. Crew, who told me that my Lord was chosen by 73 voices,
to be one of the Council of State. Mr. Pierpoint had the most, 101,
and himself the next, too. He brought me in the coach home. He and Mr.
Anslow being in it. I back to the Hall, and at Mrs. Michell's shop staid
talking a great while with her and my Chaplain, Mr. Mumford, and drank
a pot or two of ale on a wager that Mr. Prin is not of the Council. Home
and wrote to my Lord the news of the choice of the Council by the post,
and so to bed.
24th. I rose very early, and taking horse at Scotland Yard, at Mr.
Garthwayt's stable, I rode to Mr. Pierces, who rose, and in a quarter of
an hour, leaving his wife in bed (with whom Mr. Lucy methought was very
free as she lay in bed), we both mounted, and so set forth about seven
of the clock, the day and the way very foul. About Ware we overtook Mr.
Blayton, brother-in-law to Dick Vines, who went thenceforwards with us,
and at Puckeridge we baited, where we had a loin of mutton fried, and
were very merry, but the way exceeding bad from Ware thither. Then up
again and as far as Foulmer, within six miles of Cambridge, my mare
being almost tired: here we lay at the Chequer, playing at cards till
supper, which was a breast of veal roasted. I lay with Mr. Pierce, who
we left here the next morning upon his going to Hinchingbroke to speak
with my Lord before his going to London, and we two come to Cambridge by
eight o'clock in the morning.
25th. To the Falcon, in the Petty Cury,
[The old Falcon Inn is on the south side of Petty Cury. It is now
divided into three houses, one of which is the present Falcon Inn,
the other two being houses with shops. The Falcon yard is but
little changed. From the size of the whole building it must have
been the principal inn of the town. The room said to have been used
by Queen Elizabeth for receptions retains its original form.--M. B.
The Petty Cury. The derivation of the name of this street, so well
known to all Cambridge men, is a matter of much dispute among
antiquaries. (See "Notes and Queries.") The most probable meaning
of it is the Parva Cokeria, or little cury, where the cooks of the
town lived, just as "The Poultry," where the Poulters (now
Poulterers) had their shops. "The Forme of Cury," a Roll of Antient
English Cookery, was compiled by the principal cooks of that "best
and royalest viander of all Christian Kings," Richard the Second,
and edited with a copious Index and Glossary by Dr. Samuel Pegge,
1780.--M. B.]
where we found my father and brother very well. After dressing myself,
about ten o'clock, my father, brother, and I to Mr. Widdririgton, at
Christ's College, who received us very civilly, and caused my brother to
be admitted, while my father, he, and I, sat talking. After that
done, we take leave. My father and brother went to visit some friends,
Pepys's, scholars in Cambridge, while I went to Magdalene College, to
Mr. Hill, with whom I found Mr. Zanchy, Burton, and Hollins, and was
exceeding civilly received by them. I took leave on promise to sup with
them, and to my Inn again, where I dined with some others that were
there at an ordinary. After dinner my brother to the College, and my
father and I to my Cozen Angier's, to see them, where Mr. Fairbrother
came to us. Here we sat a while talking. My father he went to look
after his things at the carrier's, and my brother's chamber, while Mr.
Fairbrother, my Cozen Angier, and Mr. Zanchy, whom I met at Mr. Merton's
shop (where I bought 'Elenchus Motuum', having given my former to Mr.
Downing when he was here), to the Three Tuns, where we drank pretty hard
and many healths to the King, &c., till it began to be darkish: then we
broke up and I and Mr. Zanchy went to Magdalene College, where a very
handsome supper at Mr. Hill's chambers, I suppose upon a club among
them, where in their discourse I could find that there was nothing
at all left of the old preciseness in their discourse, specially on
Saturday nights. And Mr. Zanchy told me that there was no such thing
now-a-days among them at any time. After supper and some discourse
then to my Inn, where I found my father in his chamber, and after some
discourse, and he well satisfied with this day's work, we went to bed,
my brother lying with me, his things not being come by the carrier that
he could not lie in the College.
26th (Sunday). My brother went to the College to Chapel. My father and
I went out in the morning, and walked out in the fields behind King's
College, and in King's College Chapel Yard, where we met with Mr.
Fairbrother, who took us to Botolph's Church, where we heard Mr.
Nicholas, of Queen's College, who I knew in my time to be Tripos,
[The Tripos or Bachelor of the Stool, who made the speech on Ash
Wednesday, when the senior Proctor called him up and exhorted him to
be witty but modest withal. Their speeches, especially after the
Restoration, tended to be boisterous, and even scurrilous.
"26 Martii 1669. Da Hollis, fellow of Clare Hall is to make a
publick Recantation in the Bac. Schools for his Tripos speeche."
The Tripos verses still come out, and are circulated on Ash
Wednesday. The list of successful candidates for honours is printed
on the same paper, hence the term "Tripos" applied to it.]
with great applause, upon this text, "For thy commandments are broad."
Thence my father and I to Mr. Widdrington's chamber to dinner, where he
used us very courteously again, and had two Fellow Commoners at table
with him, and Mr. Pepper, a Fellow of the College. After dinner, while
we sat talking by the fire, Mr. Pierces man came to tell me that his
master was come to town, so my father and I took leave, and found Mr.
Pierce at our Inn, who told us that he had lost his journey, for my Lord
was gone from Hinchingbroke to London on Thursday last, at which I was
a little put to a stand. So after a cup of drink I went to Magdalene
College to get the certificate of the College for my brother's entrance
there, that he might save his year. I met with Mr. Burton in the Court,
who took me to Mr. Pechell's chamber, where he was and Mr. Zanchy. By
and by, Mr. Pechell and Sanchy and I went out, Pechell to Church, Sanchy
and I to the Rose Tavern, where we sat and drank till sermon done, and
then Mr. Pechell came to us, and we three sat drinking the King's and
his whole family's health till it began to be dark. Then we parted;
Sanchy and I went to my lodging, where we found my father and Mr. Pierce
at the door, and I took them both and Mr. Blayton to the Rose Tavern,
and there gave them a quart or two of wine, not telling them that we had
been there before. After this we broke up, and my father, Mr. Zanchy,
and I to my Cosen Angier to supper, where I caused two bottles of wine
to be carried from the Rose Tavern; that was drunk up, and I had not the
wit to let them know at table that it was I that paid for them, and so I
lost my thanks for them. After supper Mr. Fairbrother, who supped there
with us, took me into a room by himself, and shewed me a pitiful copy
of verses upon Mr. Prinn which he esteemed very good, and desired that
I would get them given to Mr. Prinn, in hopes that he would get him some
place for it, which I said I would do, but did laugh in my sleeve to
think of his folly, though indeed a man that has always expressed great
civility to me. After that we sat down and talked; I took leave of
all my friends, and so to my Inn, where after I had wrote a note and
enclosed the certificate to Mr. Widdrington, I bade good night to my
father, and John went to bed, but I staid up a little while, playing the
fool with the lass of the house at the door of the chamber, and so to
bed.
27th. Up by four o'clock, and after I was ready, took my leave of my
father, whom I left in bed, and the same of my brother John, to whom I
gave 10s. Mr. Blayton and I took horse and straight to Saffron Walden,
where at the White Hart, we set up our horses, and took the master of
the house to shew us Audley End House, who took us on foot through
the park, and so to the house, where the housekeeper shewed us all the
house, in which the stateliness of the ceilings, chimney-pieces, and
form of the whole was exceedingly worth seeing. He took us into the
cellar, where we drank most admirable drink, a health to the King. Here
I played on my flageolette, there being an excellent echo. He shewed us
excellent pictures; two especially, those of the four Evangelists and
Henry VIII. After that I gave the man 2s. for his trouble, and went back
again. In our going, my landlord carried us through a very old hospital
or almshouse, where forty poor people was maintained; a very old
foundation; and over the chimney in the mantelpiece was an inscription
in brass: "Orate pre anima Thomae Bird," &c.; and the poor box also was
on the same chimney-piece, with an iron door and locks to it, into which
I put 6d. They brought me a draft of their drink in a brown bowl, tipt
with silver, which I drank off, and at the bottom was a picture of the
Virgin and the child in her arms, done in silver. So we went to our Inn,
and after eating of something, and kissed the daughter of the house,
she being very pretty, we took leave, and so that night, the road pretty
good, but the weather rainy to Ep[p]ing, where we sat and played a game
at cards, and after supper, and some merry talk with a plain bold maid
of the house, we went to bed.
28th. Up in the morning, and had some red herrings to our breakfast,
while my boot-heel was a-mending, by the same token the boy left the
hole as big as it was before. Then to horse, and for London through the
forest, where we found the way good, but only in one path, which we kept
as if we had rode through a canal all the way. We found the shops all
shut, and the militia of the red regiment in arms at the Old Exchange,
among whom I found and spoke to Nich. Osborne, who told me that it was
a thanksgiving-day through the City for the return of the Parliament.
At Paul's I light, Mr. Blayton holding my horse, where I found Dr.
Reynolds' in the pulpit, and General Monk there, who was to have a great
entertainment at Grocers' Hall. So home, where my wife and all well.
Shifted myself,--[Changed his dress.]--and so to Mr. Crew's, and then to
Sir Harry Wright's, where I found my Lord at dinner, who called for me
in, and was glad to see me. There was at dinner also Mr. John Wright and
his lady, a very pretty lady, Alderman Allen's daughter. I dined
here with Will. Howe, and after dinner went out with him to buy a hat
(calling in my way and saw my mother), which we did at the Plough in
Fleet Street by my Lord's direction, but not as for him. Here we met
with Mr. Pierce a little before, and he took us to the Greyhound Tavern,
and gave us a pint of wine, and as the rest of the seamen do, talked
very high again of my Lord. After we had done about the hat we went
homewards, he to Mr. Crew's and I to Mrs. Jem, and sat with her a
little. Then home, where I found Mr. Sheply, almost drunk, come to see
me, afterwards Mr. Spong comes, with whom I went up and played with him
a Duo or two, and so good night. I was indeed a little vexed with Mr.
Sheply, but said nothing, about his breaking open of my study at my
house, merely to give him the key of the stair door at my Lord's, which
lock he might better have broke than mine.
29th. To my office, and drank at Will's with Mr. Moore, who told me how
my Lord is chosen General at Sea by the Council, and that it is thought
that Monk will be joined with him therein. Home and dined, after dinner
my wife and I by water to London, and thence to Herring's, the merchant
in Coleman Street, about L50 which he promises I shall have on Saturday
next. So to my mother's, and then to Mrs. Turner's, of whom I took
leave, and her company, because she was to go out of town to-morrow
with Mr. Pepys into Norfolk. Here my cosen Norton gave me a brave cup of
metheglin,
[A liquor made of honey and water, boiled and fermenting. By 12
Charles II. cap. 23, a grant of certain impositions upon beer, ale,
and other liquors, a duty of 1d. per gallon was laid upon "all
metheglin or mead."]
the first I ever drank. To my mother's and supped there.
She shewed me a letter to my father from my uncle inviting him to come
to Brampton while he is in the country. So home and to bed. This day my
Lord came to the House, the first time since he came to town; but he had
been at the Council before.